Successful year for business foundation

MORE than 10,000 new businesses were formed in Hampshire last year, according to statistics.

Figures released by Inform Direct, using data from Companies House and the Office for National Statistics, show that 13,642 new companies were established in 2017.

This brings the total number of registered companies in Hampshire to 106,588, an increase of 3.4 per cent since 2016.

Inform Direct’s director of operations John Korchak said: ‘These figures for new company formations during 2017 show that Hampshire continues to be a fertile ground for entrepreneurs and new business ventures.

‘Although a successful year, there was a fall in the number of new businesses established in 2017, compared to the previous year, which mirrors the national trend.

‘This slowdown could be attributed, at least in part, to ongoing political uncertainty and concern in the business community over the impact of Brexit.’